CN103890270A

CN103890270A - Device and method for collection of material from a surface

Info

Publication number: CN103890270A
Application number: CN201280048488.4A
Authority: CN
Inventors: 格雷厄姆·约翰·威尔逊
Original assignee: Individual
Current assignee: Individual
Priority date: 2011-08-02
Filing date: 2012-07-31
Publication date: 2014-06-25
Also published as: WO2013017871A3; WO2013017871A2; JP2014521344A; US20140152033A1; US8967688B2; GB201113298D0; EP2753763A2; EP2753763B1

Abstract

The invention provides a device (10, 210, 510) for collecting material from a surface. The device is particularly but not necessarily exclusively suited to collection of animal excreta, it has a jaw arrangement (22, 224, 524) which is able to be opened to define a mouth (28) for receiving the material to be collected, and to be closed to collect the material, A conveyor mechanism (44, 46, 364) is provided for advancing collected material into a housing (12, 512). A liner (33) is placed over the jaw arrangement to separate it from the material being collected. The conveyor mechanism serves to advance the liner along with the material collected therein, whereby the material is able to be collected into the housing and retained in the liner without making contact with surfaces of the device.

Description

For the apparatus and method from surface collection material

The present invention relates to a kind of for the apparatus and method from surface collection material, and the liner using together with this device (liner, lining, lining).

Especially but not exclusively, the present invention can be applicable to collect animal wastes.For dog owner, related problem is well-known.Be difficult to prevent optionally defecation of dog.In urban environment, the people who walks a dog often need to collect they pet ight soil and take ight soil to suitable disposal place.

For fear of direct contact ight soil, common way is to cover one on hand and catch material with polybag, then sack is won over and covers on hand, the inside is routed up in processing, and material is contained in sack, then can bind the opening of sack.There is following defect in this way :-

A. feel that by sack warm ight soil is undesirable;

B. pet owner must bending be gone refuse to pick up;

C. collected material carries out in must taking to and disposing place and take a walk on the way through being everlasting, and collected material can cause the risk of leaking in may there is no hermetic sack; And

D. for example on rough earth use or in the time taking away, sack may damage or break.Ight soil contacts the risk that can cause being exposed to serious pathogen with finger, the clothing etc. of pet owner.

There is the existing apparatus for collecting animal wastes.People can use scoop, dustpan and brush, pet vacuum cleaner etc. certainly.Use the problem of these instruments to be that their surface is exposed to the material of collection, and therefore can be contaminated, need follow-up cleaning, this once more make user be exposed to can to cause in ight soil serious disease pathogen.On market, also there is various " scraper bowl (scoop) " formula device.An example is to sell with trade mark Flexrake33P, and has elongate handle, wherein has at one end the scraper bowl shape claw that a pair of pivotable is installed.The push/pull bar extending along handle is connected to movably handle of user at one end, and is connected to claw at other end place, so that by moving handle, user can pull together claw around material to be collected.Be not provided for retaining the device of collected material, therefore collected material demand leaves in suitable container subsequently.Similarly, the claw of device must be polluted by collected material.

Sold by the Poopsta of Lancashire, England for another device of collecting dog excrement, and comprise the hollow cylindrical shell with the openend being covered by polybag.Around housing and sack, be provided with the use of rubber band in order to this device.Then by the ground the openend of housing, on animal wastes, and depress, make rubber band landing shrinking from housing, the openend that makes sack is in ight soil slid underneath and grabbed in sack, is then placed it in housing by user.Then use this housing of dismountable closed with covers.The advantage that this device has is to be only the Surface Contact animal wastes of the inside of polybag.Shortcoming comprises the quantity of the operation that user must carry out in the time of each use, comprises and removes lid, polybag is placed on the openend of housing, rubber band is placed on around polybag, device is placed on to refuse top and depresses this device, sack and collected ight soil are placed in housing and change lid.This operation also needs user to bend over or stoops housing to be placed on to ground position.Be restricted at the operable number of times of situation lower device not emptying.

The object of this invention is to provide a kind of improved device for collection of material, this material especially but be not exclusively refuse, but still is more particularly animal wastes.Especially, expectation be to provide a kind of can repetition and device easy to use.That also expects is to provide a kind of device for collection of material, and this device can not operated in the case of not polluted by collected material.

According to a first aspect of the invention, have a kind ofly for the device from surface collection material, described device comprises: housing, and this housing is for holding collected material; Claw layout, this claw is arranged and can be opened to be provided for holding the oral area of material and can closing with collection of material; And conveying mechanism, this conveying mechanism for being advanced to liner in oral area together with being collected in the material of this liner, described liner is arranged on claw cloth and is set up that claw is arranged and collected separating substances, material can be collected in housing and be kept in liner thus, and does not contact with the surface of device.

The present invention allows claw to be covered by liner, and described claw additionally can be polluted by collected material.Collected material can be held and be moved in the housing for delivery of/stores/processes by liner, and does not need user to process material and any internal part that also can polluting device.

Especially preferred, conveying mechanism is operable in the time that click-on mechanism is closed.In this way, claw can be closed around collected material, and in the subsequent action separating, conveyer can operate so that liner and collected material are advanced in housing.

Further preferably, click-on mechanism and conveying mechanism can operate independently, and click-on mechanism can be opened and closed in the situation that not making liner advance.In this way, activating conveyer with before during material is moved into housing, user can repeatedly attempt closing material claw around as required so that collection of material.

According to a second aspect of the invention, there is a kind of liner using together with gathering-device, described liner comprises the elongated tubular of being made up of flexible material, described elongated tubular is crushed, is folded into accordion or otherwise compresses to form the framework with opening, thereby permission framework is arranged on a part for gathering-device around for installing.

In question " framework " can be for example circular or square.Except liner itself, this framework can also be supported by the form of some framing components, but this not necessarily.

In one embodiment, liner has the isolated weather strip of length along liner, and sealing bar can be at the interior formation seal that is lining with in the time of compression seal bar itself.Weather strip itself can be self-adhesion adhesive tape and slide fastener.

To only pass through the mode of example specific embodiment with reference to the accompanying drawings to describe the present invention now, in the accompanying drawings:

Fig. 1 a to Fig. 1 e is the simplified perspective view that embodies the first gathering-device of the present invention in the time of the operation of pointwise device for carrying out said;

Fig. 2 a to Fig. 2 c is the cross section of identical gathering-device by intercepting along perpendicular, and successive stages while again showing device operation;

Fig. 3 is the exploded view of the inside slip cap of same apparatus, and comprises each workpiece being supported by slip cap;

Fig. 4 is the exploded view of the shell of same apparatus, and comprises each workpiece of housings support;

Fig. 5 is the phantom drawing of the housing of device and the part of associated components;

Fig. 6 and Fig. 5 are similar, but show handle and associated components in diverse location;

Fig. 7 a and Fig. 7 b are the simplified perspective view of device, show device and can how to open to discharge (eject ejects) collected material;

Fig. 8 shows the liner using together with installing;

Fig. 9 passes through the simplification sectional view of device in perpendicular, shows the details of blocking mechanism;

Figure 10 a to Figure 10 c represents blocking mechanism itself, and shows the successive stages in the time that blocking mechanism operates;

Figure 11 is the phantom drawing of the modification of the first gathering-device;

Figure 12 show embody the second gathering-device of the present invention and from some internal parts of unilateral observation;

Figure 13 is the enlarged drawing of the elastic linkage mechanism that uses in the second gathering-device;

Figure 14 and Figure 12 are similar, but show the internal part of device from the second side contrary with the first side;

Figure 15 shows from the internal part identical with Figure 12 and Figure 14 of observing above of device;

Figure 16 is the phantom drawing that supports the former (former) of the liner for embodying gathering-device of the present invention, omits liner itself;

Figure 17 and Figure 16 are similar, but comprise in addition liner, show liner and launch to show its shape;

Figure 18 is the phantom drawing that is suitable for a part of holding liner of the housing of former, liner (being now compact pre-use structure) and gathering-device;

Figure 19 is the phantom drawing that embodies the 3rd gathering-device of the present invention;

Figure 20 shows from the bottom of the 3rd gathering-device for cross section unilateral observation and local; And

Figure 21 shows the 3rd gathering-device of observing from above, and some parts of this device are cut to show the details that it is inner.

Gathering-device shown in accompanying drawing is all intended to for collecting and carry animal wastes.Especially, these gathering-devices can be used for from collecting dog excrement and allow dog excrement safe transport to dustbin or other Waste disposal facilities on the ground by the people who walks a dog.This device is popular to be called " ight soil scraper bowl ".But, be noted that the present invention has potential using value at other field, as mentioned below.

Fig. 1 a to Fig. 1 e shows some critical pieces that embody the first gathering-device 10 of the present invention, and shows the sequence of steps in device operation.In Fig. 1 a, device 10 is configured to carry.Can find out and comprise housing 12, this housing is roughly cube and along the line 14 is divided into two separable parts in the present embodiment.Other shapes of housing and structure are also possible.Device can be provided with the form of some bands or other equipment so that carry, and takes in the present embodiment the form of shoulder belt 16.Device has extensible handle 18, only see the end of this handle, and other parts of handle is contained in housing 12, make device form the shape of the relative compact that can be convenient for carrying in Fig. 1 a.

In order to make device 10 be ready to use, (Fig. 1 b), extracts extensible handle 18 out from housing 12.User can hold device at 20 places, the upper end of handle 18, and because handle is elongated, so user there is no need to stoop or bends over from collecting refuse on the ground.In Fig. 1 b, also see claw layout 22.In the time that device is configured to carry, (a), claw arranges that 22 are contained in housing 12 to Fig. 1.The action of pulling handle 18 impels claw to arrange that 22 advance and leave housing 12 downwards, and impels claw to arrange and open to prepare for collecting refuse.In an illustrated embodiment, claw is arranged a pair of claw 24a, the 24b that comprise that pivotable is installed separately.In Fig. 1 b claw 24a pivotable around axis be depicted as 26.Can adopt other claw structures.For example, this layout can be collected refuse with being arranged as the single movable claw cooperating with stationary jaw.Term " claw " in context refers to and is shaped and is arranged as any parts that scoop up or otherwise collect refuse from ground.Opening in structure of claw, these claws are formed for holding the oral area 28 of refuse.Device is placed on material to be collected (it is not shown in Figure 1) top by user, and wherein material is in oral area 28.The lower limb of

claw

24a, 24b now preferably contacts with ground.

The exercisable actuated components of user is arranged to make user can close claw.Take in an illustrated embodiment the form towards the exercisable bar 30 of user of the upper end of extensible handle 18.In the time that handle 18 extends from housing 12, bar 30 Automatic-expandings.For this reason, in an illustrated embodiment, (Fig. 1 b) towards open position ejection for bar 30.Supporting rod 30 makes claw arrange that 22 close, and as found out from Fig. 1 c, thereby collects the refuse between claw.

Once material has been collected in claw by this way, user just can make material be advanced in housing to store.In an illustrated embodiment, the action that handle 18 is pushed to its deposit position in housing 12 impels claw to arrange that 22 are retracted in housing, and simultaneously refuse is advanced in housing 12 mode of explanation below.In the time that claw is arranged 22 retraction, hinged flap (flap) 32 is closed the lower end of opening in addition of housing 12, referring to Fig. 1 d.After using, device 10 recovers it and carries structure, referring to Fig. 1 e.

The importance of the device having no in Fig. 1 relates to the use of liner 33 arranges with covering claw, and therefore makes claw arrange and collected separating substances, makes waste pollution be confined to liner, and device 10 surfaces own do not need to contact with collected refuse.Now details and this aspect of the internal mechanism of interpreting means will especially be come with reference to Fig. 2 to Fig. 6.

For example, liner 33 can be seen in Fig. 2 a to Fig. 2 c.In the present embodiment, liner 33 is formed as elongated tubular.This liner comprises flexible, and preferably without infiltrative sheet material.In an illustrated embodiment, this material is the thin plastics that are similar to the material of polybag.Polyethylene sheeting is a kind of suitable material, but also has many other materials.Liner 33 arranges 22 around and top through claw, and the oral area 28 of arranging by claw returns to and therefore enter the inside of housing 12.Collected refuse is advanced to above-mentioned steps in housing 12 to be comprised the liner 33 that wherein accommodates refuse is advanced in housing.Therefore, liner 33 holds refuse in housing 12, thereby prevents the inside of material polluting device.

Observe in more detail Fig. 2, can find out that this device comprises the slide assemblies that is arranged in housing 12 and comprises claw layout 22.In an illustrated embodiment, this slide assemblies comprises slip cap 34, and this slip cap can move up and down to advance/retraction claw layout 22 in housing 12.The details of slide assemblies has been shown in Fig. 3.Slip cap 34 is formed in the box-like hollow structure in two parts, and these two parts are separated from one another and in this accompanying drawing, be expressed as 34a and 34b in Fig. 3.The skid 36b being formed on the second component 34b of slip cap has dovetail type or other undercutting formula cross section.The complementary gathering sill 38 forming is arranged on the second component 12a upper (referring to Fig. 4) of housing 12 to hold skid 36b, and therefore slidably the second cover parts is arranged on the second housing parts.First set parts 34a is attached at the second cover parts 34b upper (Fig. 3) by articulated elements 37, and it is upper loosely to tie up to the first housing parts 12a, makes in the time that housing 12 is opened, and slip cap 34 is opened together with housing.When housing 12 is closed while using, these two cover parts 34a, 34b mechanical engagement therefore as an integrated moving each other.

Each in cover parts 34a, 34b supports claw 24a, a 24b.In Fig. 3, can find out, each in

claw

24a, 24b comprises by articulated

elements

42a, 42b separately and is attached at pivotally trap part 40a, the 40b in other parts of its cover parts 34a, 34b separately.

Liner 33 and collected material are controlled to the one group of conveyer being formed as in the present embodiment with 44,46 that advances past in housing 12.To the associated components being supported by first set parts 34a be described now.The parts that supported by first set parts 34a represent by suffix " a " in the following passage.But it should be understood that the second cover parts 34b has the likewise arrangement of band and associated components, and these represent by suffix " b " in the accompanying drawings.

First set parts 34a supports a pair of band 44a, the 46a of lateral separation each other.These bands be supported on lower shaft component 48a and upper shaft assembly 50a upper (term "up" and "down" refer in this article device in orientation seen in fig. 1, wherein claw is minimum).Lower shaft component 48a supports towards its lower end by the first claw 24a.Lower shaft component 48a supports a pair of

pinion

52a, 54a,

corresponding band

44a, 46a are arranged on this on pinion, and band from inner interlock to engage with pinion, thereby positive drive (positive drive) is provided and can not slides, make the four bands movement synchronized with each other of device.Upper shaft assembly 50a installs and is arranged in this slip cap by slip cap 34, end mounted thereto or at least install towards its upper end, and support another to

pinion

56a, 58a, be with accordingly 44a, 46a to be arranged on this on pinion.For the tension force of retainer belt in the time that claw opens and closes, upper shaft assembly 50a is movably and is subject to the effect (referring to Fig. 2) of tension spring 60a.Comparison diagram 2a and Fig. 2 b, can find out, (Fig. 2 a) extends and shrinks these springs, and in the time that claw moves to its fastening position, (Fig. 2 b), upwards pulls the tension force of shaft assembly 50a with retainer belt at claw 24a during in its open position.Opening claw 24a, when 24b (especially referring to Fig. 2 a), the guide 62a being formed in slider case 34 retrains by near the paths with 44,46 employings articulated elements 42, and (especially referring to Fig. 2 a), prevents band and the miscellaneous part friction of installing in the time that claw 24a, 24b open.

Two band 44a, the 46a being supported by first set parts 34a collects impeller (paddle) 64a by one group and interconnects.Term " impeller " itself does not represent any given shape of these parts as used herein, and it can present any shape in the multiple difformities that match with their function.In an illustrated embodiment, these impeller are formed as the elongated face plate of the elongation erecting from the external surface of band.

As mentioned above, the second cover parts 34b supports the second layout with shaft assembly 48b on 44b, 46b, second and lower shaft component 50b, the second pinion 52-58b, the second tension spring 60b and the second guide 62b of itself, and all these devices are all formed as the corresponding component being supported by first set parts 34a similarly.

Mechanism is configured such that two groups of

band

44a, 46a advance together with 44b, 46b.In an illustrated embodiment, this realizes by rack pinion drive unit, the tooth bar 66 of this rack pinion drive unit by housing 12 support and position in the inner, and engage to drive this pinion with being arranged on the pinion 67 on shaft assembly 50b on second, and drive thus the second band 44b, 46b.In order to transfer a driving force to the

first band

44a, 46a, on second, shaft assembly 50b supports travelling gear 68b in cover 34 a side relative with rack pinion drive unit, and this travelling gear engages (especially referring to Fig. 3) with the identical travelling gear 68a being supported by shaft assembly 50a on first.Ratchet mechanism 47(is referring to Fig. 3) guarantee that band 44a, the 46a of

shaft assembly

50a, 50b and their supports, 44b, 46b can only rotate along a direction.In Fig. 2 b, shaft assembly 50a only can clockwise rotate on first, and on second, shaft assembly 50b only can inhour rotate, thereby liner 33 is advanced in housing 12.

Referring again to Fig. 2 a to Fig. 2 c, be appreciated that now that the refuse of collection is advanced to the mode in housing 12.After claw layout 22 has been closed, (b), slip cap 34 returns in housing 12 Fig. 2.This motion of cover 34 impels spindle unit 48,50 to rotate, thus push belt 44,46.In the time that this motion starts, a pair of the first impeller 64a is relative with the second impeller 64b and adjacent one another are, and is positioned at their claw 24a separately, the lower end of 24b.These impeller are collected and hold refuse (being object 70) in Fig. 2.In the time that band advances, the refuse around it and liner 33 move into the inside of device by the action of impeller 64a, 64b.Note, due to multipair with 44,46 lateral separation (referring to Fig. 3), refuse is not clipped between band, but allow on the contrary refuse in slip cap 34, to occupy the as many volume needing as it, thereby make liner 33 respective bump, shown in Fig. 2 c, be 72, remain between multipair impeller 64a, the 64b of above and below simultaneously.

Mechanism is configured such that slip cap 34 moves between the retracted position of Fig. 2 c and Fig. 2 a and the propelling position of Fig. 2 b.In Fig. 4, this mechanism can be shown best.As mentioned above, in an illustrated embodiment, the action of extension/retraction handle 18 impels slip cap 34 and claw to arrange that 22 advance/retract.But the distance that handle 18 moves through is greater than the distance that slip cap 34 moves through.A solution of this problem is to make handle 18 engage an only short part of its stroke with cover 34.But, can find in the present embodiment better solution, this solution provides the mechanical dominance in the actuating of mechanism for user.A pair of actuator lever 76,78 is supported on the second housing parts 12b.Each bar is around fulcrum 80,82 pivotables separately, and fulcrum is fixing with respect to housing 12.Each bar has the

corresponding slit

84,86 extending along its length.Handle 18 supports actuator pin 88, and this actuator pin is contained in two

slits

84,86 in the time being slidably matched.On the opposite side of fulcrum 80,82 and actuator pin 88, each actuator lever 76,78 has double

pointed nail

90,92 separately, and double pointed nail protrudes in the corresponding transverse slot 79 being formed in slip cap 34 (referring to Fig. 3).

Moving handle 18 impels actuator lever 76,78 to rotate, and impels thus slip cap 34 up/down to move.Note, when the provider of this mechanism to reversion---in the time that handle 18 moves down to retract, slip cap 34 move up correspondingly to make claw arrange 22 retract.In addition because fulcrum 76 or 78 and actuator pin 88 between distance be greater than fulcrum 76 or 78 and corresponding double

pointed nail

90,92 between distance, so this mechanism provides required mechanical advantage, that is to say, the stroke ratio slip cap 34 that handle 18 moves through is long.

Handle 18 couples with mode and housing 12 that its extension/retraction movement is provided.In an illustrated embodiment, handle 18 ends at carrier frame plate 94, and this carrier frame plate is slidably mounted between two guide rails 96 that are formed in housing 12.

The exercisable mechanism of user is set to close claw and arranges 22.Should note in this, user can control independently propelling claw arrange motion and the retraction of claw, make as required, before completing processing by retraction claw and in making thus collected material immigration housing 12, user can repeatedly attempt closing refuse claw around.Each in

claw

24a, 24b controls by corresponding a pair of claw actuator lever 100a, 100b.One of every centering is found in Fig. 3, is arranged on the side surface of slip cap 34.Another member of every centering is positioned on the opposite side of slip cap 34, and therefore invisible in accompanying drawing.Each

claw actuator lever

100a, 100b couple with corresponding

hinged cover part

40a, 40b by corresponding pivot 102a, the 102b of lateral run-out corresponding articulated

elements

42a, 42b, make, by mobile

claw actuator lever

100a, 100b, can open and close

claw

24a, 24b.

Claw actuator lever

100a, 100b are coupled to Fig. 4 to L shaped coupling access component 104,106 seen in fig. 6 by the slit in the sidewall of slip cap 34, and are arranged in slip cap 34 outsides and are positioned on the opposite side of slip cap.Fig. 5 shows the pivoting lever 108,110 engaging pivotally with claw actuator lever 100.Two coupling access components 104,106 are connected by crossbeam 112, make them mobile to open and to close claw together.Pivoting lever 108,110 is contained in provides freely slit 107(referring to Fig. 3 for jaw components to be retracted) in.

As mentioned above, user closes claw by bar 30, and this bar is near the upper end of extensible handle 18.For this reason, handle 18 be hollow and comprise (as shown in Figure 4) a pair of bar 114,116 that couples, rotatablely moving of bar 30 is converted to the linear movement that couples bar 118 that extends through handle 18, this couple bar appear in shell 12 and the lower end that is positioned at handle with crossing with T shape bar (bar) 120, this T shape bar is supported on carrier frame plate 94 belows by mushroom button 122,124.In the short slit 125 of button in carrier frame plate 94, slide, to allow T shape bar 120 to move with respect to carrier frame plate 94 capture type.

In the time of user's pressure ram 30, couple bar 118 prolapse upwards.This moves through against the T shape bar 120 of crossbeam 112 and is passed to coupling access component 104,106, and is passed to thus

claw actuator lever

100a, 100b and is passed to

claw

24a, 24b, thereby claw is closed.

Note, because T shape bar 120 does not couple with crossbeam 112, so mechanism can not hinder in handle 18 retraction housings 12.As shown in Figure 6, retract and cause simply these parts to move away from each other.Therefore this mechanism can impel claw to close but can not make them open.Opening by layout of spring of claw produces, and this layout of spring is invisible in the drawings, but for example can comprise the torsion spring that acts on

cover part

40a, 40b.

Gathering-device can repeatedly use before it need to empty.That is to say, user can repeat twice or more times with reference to sequence of steps illustrated in fig. 1.But in the time that user arrives suitable refuse process points, device needs to empty.Fig. 7 a and Fig. 7 b show a kind of mode that can realize this situation.As mentioned above, housing 12 can be formed as two separable parts.In the present embodiment, these parts couple by housing articulated elements 128 along their top.Open housing 12 and make two isolation of components of slip cap 34 around articulated elements, thereby the collected material that allows to carry in liner 33 falls or removes from device, (Fig. 7 b).

For the convenience of the users, the present embodiment comprises the release-push 130 for opening housing 12.In Fig. 4, can find out, release is arranged in the first component 12a of housing 12 and is located thereon in wall, and couples by the pair of bolts 136 on the opposite side of release bar 132 and device, and this release bar extends to upper offset and around the inner rim of housing 12 by spring 134.In the time that user closes housing by promoting together two parts of housing 12, first bolt 136 rides along the inclined surface 138 that is formed on the fastener 140 on the second component 12b of cover, is then snapped in the undercutting formula inner surface 142 of fastener 140 so that

cover parts

12a, 12b are fixed together.Depress release-push 130 and make bolt 136 down slidings, thereby itself and fastener 140 are separated and allow housing 12 to open.

Check that Fig. 2 will recognize, the impeller 64a, the 64b that are supported on the relative parts of slip cap 34 need alignment in pairs to bring into play their effect.In the time that housing 12 and slip cap 34 are closed, travelling gear 68 and the engagement of driven gear have been guaranteed that impeller is synchronizeed and have been advanced and keep suitable aliging.But in the time that slip cap 34 is opened, these gears separate, and a gear may rotate with respect to another, thereby make impeller misalignment (not lining up).In order to prevent this from occurring, in the time that slip cap 34 is opened, blocking mechanism locks gear.Fig. 3 shows details.

Upper shaft assembly

50a, 50b all support the locking gear 144a, the 144b that are associated with corresponding bolt 146a, 146b, and this bolt is biased to its locking gear engagement to prevent

rotation.Push rod

148a, 148b are arranged as in the time that slip cap 34 is closed and depart from and be connected with bolt.In the time that slip cap 34 is opened, push rod discharges, and bolt engages and prevent gear mechanism rotation.

Also need the mode that liner 33 is inserted in gathering-device to consider in order to using.Can liner 33 be offered to user with the form shown in Fig. 8.The length that meets multi-purpose tubular liner material is folded into small size and is supported on rectangular frame to be the mode of accordion (concertina), make around slip cap 34 by folding wrinkling liner easily in insertion apparatus.For liner 33 being installed in order to using, the end of liner pulls downwards around the claw extending and open arranges 22, and is then put back in the peristome 28 of claw.Now, liner 33 need to clamp can be advanced in gathering-device by impeller 64.For this reason, device comprises claw blocking mechanism, while making claw can close by hand propelled (thereby clamping liner 33) and advance in mechanism, keeps closing.Blocking mechanism automatically discharges in the time that claw is retracted.Fig. 9 and Figure 10 a-10c show applicable claw blocking mechanism, and this mechanism comprises that being pivotally mounted on a claw 24a goes up and be arranged as the hook 150 that can engage with the lockweight 152 being positioned on another claw 24b, so that these claw lockings are closed.Mode and deadlock lever that hook 150 vertically moves with the deadlock lever 154 that allows to be arranged on slip cap 34 couple, and the upper end bending of deadlock lever is to form the outstanding spring arm 156 of side direction.Pin 157 is arranged on the inner surface of housing 12 and is arranged as combined spring arm 156.At first, arrange that at manual-lock claw after 22, spring arm 156 is positioned at pin 157 belows, and (Figure 10 a) and by hook 150 remains on its " locking " position.But, in slip cap 34 retraction housings 12, force spring arm to cross pin 157, with releasable, claw subsequently can be opened to use.

Liner 33 can be end-enclosed (blind-ended).That is to say, the end for inserting oral area 28 of liner 33 is sealed.In addition, this end of liner can be provided with can hold assembly 159, and impeller can engage to clamp liner 33 by hold assembly with this.

Expect to be the external dimensions minimum that makes device be convenient for carrying as far as possible making.For this reason, impeller 64 can be to allow impeller mode of " feather an oar (feather) " on its return path form, against they support thereon be with 44,46, and therefore make to need to offer in device their volume minimum.It is own that Fig. 3 has omitted most of impeller 64, only show impeller liner mounted thereto 158, but show inner guide strip 160, this inside guide strip impel impeller 64 in the time of the guide surface 162 through tilting, lie low under with against band, described impeller can be made up or for example can be by being pivotally mounted on liner 158 of elastomeric material.

Once what expect is that material has been collected in liner 33, prevent that any material from spilling.In certain embodiments, impeller 64 is separately for keeping collected material.But, equipment can be set to below collected material in be lining with formation seal.In such embodiment (not shown), self-adhesion adhesive tape is spaced apart and arranged on the inside of liner 33 and orientates as by impeller 64 and forces together to form required sealing.Alternative has for providing the gathering-device that liner is carried out thermosealed equipment after liner 33 has advanced.Another alternative is that compartment of terrain is used for example slide fastener of molded plastics type to seal liner along liner.

Can be by realizing heat seal for blade provides heating element on the external margin at impeller 64.In this case, impeller can be arranged as the traffic direction that supports band thereon along impeller and be parallel-laid into over the ground and closely separate, and the main lobe plate that makes a centering is by for holding collected material.Another impeller of this centering is provided with heating element and is close to the first impeller.In this way, prevent heating element and collected material close contact.

Although above-described embodiment provides the housing of opening to discharge collected material, another kind of possibility is to make the output from device of collected material.Figure 11 shows principle.Liner 33 can expose by the top of housing 12.Internal mechanism for example can free-wheel (freewheel) to allow liner to pass, or alternatively, the repeated actuation of mechanism can be for discharging liner and being collected in the material in liner.

Gathering-device 210 shown in Figure 12 to Figure 15 is that with the difference of above-mentioned gathering-device 10 specific features of its mechanism is power operated, instead of manually operated.More specifically, gathering-device 210 use motor drive the opening and closing of (a) claw move and (b) propelling of connecting gear so that collected material is involved in device.These two functions are all independently by power-actuated, and as will further set forth below, operating sequence can be carried out electric control with type motor-driven.

For driving the details of the mechanism that claw opens and close shown in Figure 12 best.This accompanying drawing shows the similar slip cap 234 of slip cap 34 with previously described embodiment, and this slip cap also comprises the hinged first set parts 234a coupling and the second cover parts 234b.That couple with each

cover parts

234a, 234b pivotable is corresponding claw 224a, 224b.The conveying mechanism of the second gathering-device 210 is not shown in figures, but can be similar to the conveying mechanism of the first gathering-device 10.

Figure 12 to Figure 15 omitted equally external shell object 12 in the accompanying drawing of (a) the first gathering-device and (b) in housing mobile slip cap 234 with the mechanism of propelling/retraction claw.In addition, second device these aspects of 210 can with the corresponding parts match of first device 10.Especially, the propelling of claw and slip cap and retraction can realize with hand lever layout and the regracting handle of Fig. 4, but this function also can be by mechanization in other embodiments.

Motor 300 drives claw 224a, 224b.The one or more batteries that carry in the housing of this motor by device are powered, and are common ways and not shown in figures but housing is suitable for holding battery.From motor lead to each

claw

224a, 224b corresponding driving mechanism and, crank and push rod that this driving mechanism comprises the reducing gear train of the torque that amplification can obtain from motor 300 and leads to claw 224a, 224b are arranged.Gear train uses the worm screw 302 on the axle 304 that is supported on motor 300 to drive interlock turbine 306.Coaxial with turbine 306 and be installed as the pinion 307 rotating together with turbine drive by overlap accordingly

parts

234a, 234b support the first crank gear 308a and the second crank gear 308b.

The the first crank gear 308a being supported by first set parts 234a is by being used as crank to the pivotable coupling 310a of the first push rod 312a.Push rod has another pivotable coupling 314a to the first claw 224a, this coupling pivot axis 316a, and claw is by this pivotal mounting.In the time that motor shaft 304 rotates, rotate together with the first crank gear 308a and motor shaft and back and forth drive the first push rod 312a with mobile the first claw 224a between the closed and opened position of claw.

The geared system being supported by the second cover parts 234b is only that with the difference of the geared system by first set parts 234a support it also comprises the tumbler gear 313 between the second crank gear 308b and pinion 307.This is necessary, so that the first crank gear 308a and the second crank gear 308b are with contrary direction rotation.The second push rod 312b is coupled to the second claw 224b so that claw moves between its closed and opened position by the second crank gear 308b, and this geared system is arranged so that

claw

224a, 224b as one man open and close certainly.

Push rod 312a, 312b comprise for the protection of claw driving mechanism and exempt from injured corresponding elasticity coupling 320a, 320b.If applied excessive power to tend to open or close claw to claw 224a, 224b for some reason, the driving mechanism that

elasticity coupling

320a, 320b allow claw to be independent of them moves, in order to avoid make their overloads.Figure 13 shows in elasticity coupling 320, and this coupling uses a pair of prestressed spiral spring of effect opposite each other in this particular example.Push rod 312 is divided into two parts 322,324.The pin 326 being supported by a putter component 322 stretches out through the slit 328(in another putter component 324 referring to Figure 12).Two springs 330,332 couple with pin 326 separately and extend to from pin corresponding another pin 334,336 being supported by another putter component 324 in opposite direction.If exceeding spring 330,332 along its length in either direction, the power on push rod 312 is subject to prestressed power by it, the length of push rod is along with its two parts relative to each other slide and change, thereby allows corresponding

claw

224a or 224b to move.Obviously, required elastic force can be incorporated in driving mechanism in multiple other modes.

In the present embodiment,

claw

224a, 224b are around only visible in Figure 14 with

conveyer band

364a, 364b(separately) center line the axle 316a, the 316b that overlap hinged, make the length in the path of conveyer can be along with

claw

224a, 224b move and significant change occurs.Therefore, can save tension spring 60a, the 60b of the first embodiment.

For driving the mechanism of conveyer to see Figure 14 and comprise the second motor 350, the axle 352 of this second motor supports for driving the worm screw 354 of turbine 356 and the worm screw 354 with the coaxial pinion 358 of turbine.First set parts 234a has the first conveyer driving gear 360a, this gear engages and is arranged on the first conveyor shaft 362a with pinion 358, this first conveyor shaft drives the first conveyer to arrange, one in the band that this first conveyer is arranged is visible as 364a in the accompanying drawings.The difference of leading to the gear train of the second conveyor axle 362b being supported by the second cover parts 234b is that this gear train comprises tumbler gear 366, so that

conveyor shaft

362a, 362b are with contrary direction rotation.

In the first described gathering-device 10, blocking mechanism is set to lock conveying mechanism in the time that user opens slip cap 34, with the corresponding conveying mechanism misalignment (not lining up) each other that prevents from being supported by cover parts 34a, 34b.The second gathering-device 210 is without any need for such blocking mechanism, and this is because in the time that the cover 234 of device is opened, and does not separate for the gear train that drives claw and conveyer.Again check Figure 12, for example, the axis of pinion 307 and the deads in line of articulated elements that couple two cover parts 234a, 234b.When cover parts are in the time that this axis is pivoted relative to each other, the first crank gear 308a and tumbler gear 313 are depicted the circular arc around this axis, and therefore keep engaging with pinion 307.Figure 15 shows gear little 307 and pinion 358 is supported on identical axle 366, this axle is as the articulated elements that couples two

cover parts

234a, 234b, but allow these two pinions independently to rotate, this axle is formed in two concentric parts 368,370, and one is contained in another.

Mechanization mechanism controls by the exercisable switch (not shown) of user carrying on handle, and in the present embodiment, this handle is at the textural handle 18 that can be similar to substantially the first embodiment.Claw gauge tap can be by user at forward, oppositely and between fastening position move, thereby make claw activation motor 300 move to open claw along a direction, and move in opposite direction to close claw.The limit switch of other types or sensor (not shown) are set to detect advancing in a claw direction in office and when reach capacity, and conduct responds and disable motor 300.Limit switch can engage with geared system or with

claw

224a, 224b.

The exercisable conveyer switch of user (not shown) is carried by handle, and can activate to start conveyer motor 350 by user.

A kind of logic circuit that receives signal from sensor/switch is provided, to guarantee that operation realizes by suitable order, when for example detect a pair of impeller by (a) is positioned to adjacent one another are at the bottom place of

claw

224a, 224b, prepare to collect the load of next refuse, and stop conveyer motor 350 as response; (b) detect and when insert sack; (c) whether detect claw retracts and prevents claw activation motor operation etc. in the time that motor 300 is moving.Logic circuit can comprise discrete electrons parts, suitable switch arrangement and/or programming microprocessor.The design of logic circuit is intuitively for the skilled person, does not therefore give particulars herein.

As in previous embodiment, gathering-device 210 use rack pinions arrange that (not shown) drives claw to advance and retracts, but alternative is for making equally this functional machinery.For example, when folding and as response, claw is retracted can be set to detect handle for switch or sensor.

Figure 16 to Figure 18 shows for encapsulating and for the alternate device of liner is installed, and this liner contacts collected material for the parts of anti-locking apparatus.Framework 400 supports liner 402.Figure 16 shows separately framework, and in the present embodiment, this framework comprises the plate material that forms the rectangular shape with opening 404 and pulling-on piece 406.Preferred material for framework 400 is cardboard, but also can use plastic plate or other suitable materials.In the time offering user, liner 402, is folded into accordion or otherwise flattens into and be positioned at (Figure 18) near framework in impaction state lower support on framework.The oral area of liner is attached on framework 400 and surrounds opening 404, as understood from Figure 17.This attached can be by bonding formation.Housing 412 has slit 410 in an one side surface, and liner 402 and framework 400 under impaction state can insert in this slit, and housing has internal part (not shown), such as holding and the guide rail of positioning framework 400.The waist 411 of pulling-on piece 406 sandwiches in the recess 413 in slit 410 peripheries so that framework and liner are held in place.Hinged seal cover (not shown) can catch (trap) pulling-on piece 406 closure slot 410 with by any odor seal in housing.For framework 400 and liner 402 are inserted in housing 412, claw 24a, 24b or 224a, 224b must retract, and under this state, these claws are positioned at above framework 400.In the time that claw advances, claw moves through the opening 404 in framework 400, extracts liner 402 out make to cover claw by liner 402 by claw.Liner need to turn back to by claw 24a, 24b, in the oral area 28 that 224a, b form, being involved in device (for example, referring again to Fig. 2 a by conveyer, it shows the liner 33 in suitable structure), but this situation can be by user is pushed liner in oral area 28, or refer again to Fig. 2 effect (liner is pressed in oral area 28) a) by collected material 70(simply and easily realize.Note, in the present embodiment, liner 402 forms with the form of sack, has blind end 414.Such liner can be formed as only allowing the collection operation of smallest number, for example twice before it must replace it.In this case, the conveyer of gathering-device can only need the impeller of respective amount.After collection of material, can tear pulling-on piece 406 with tension drawstring 416 from framework 400, thereby prevent from discharging collected material.

It should be understood that above-mentioned gathering-device is only as how implementing example of the present invention.To be described some modification now.

Although said apparatus is intended to especially for collecting animal wastes, embodiments of the invention go for any other scope of application.Exist other to need collection of material and the situation of pollution collection device not.For example, harmful waste may need to carry out such processing.Although shown embodiment is manual activation, other embodiment can provide required actuating with power-equipment.

Liner 33,402 can have band texture and styloid surface, or can have the auxiliary tacky surfaces of collecting.Impeller can have notched, jagged (being suitably shaped to do not damage liner) or be configured as the edge of assisting collection of material in other mode.Impeller can have flexible finger to allow uneven surface profile.Impeller can comprise magnet to attract multipair impeller simultaneously, thereby improves the sealing on liner 33,402.Impeller can be formed by a series of materials such as rubber, metal or plastics.Preferably, band and impeller should be by single molded formation.After the short interval of conveyer, a pair of impeller can be followed another to impeller, resists so that these two pairs of impeller form the double seal that material spills.

In other embodiments, interlock be with 44,46 for example can use the replacements such as chain, flat rubber belting, V-type band.Although for making mechanism that liner and collected material be advanced to housing different piece in this article be called as " conveyer ", but this only means that it can be transported to liner and collected material in housing, and does not necessarily require to use chain or band.For example, liner can advance by roller, or is clamped and pulled by reciprocating apparatus.

Within the scope of the invention, may there are many modification in the structure of gathering-device and operation.For example, Figure 19, Figure 20 and Figure 21 show the gathering-device 510 that embodies substantial cylindrical of the present invention.In this embodiment, housing 512 is cylinders of hollow and supports one group of claw 524, and this group claw is around the central axial line equi-angularly space of housing.Described example has eight claws 524, but also can use the claw of varying number.Each claw 524 himself has the conveyer 544 of impeller 564 of support, impeller shape triangular in shape, and in the time that claw 524 is closed, (Figure 21) is completely chimeric with the oral area of locking device and material is collected wherein.As in the aforementioned embodiment, gathering-device 510 has for covering claw and protecting claw to prevent the liner contacting with collected material.In Figure 19 to Figure 21, omit this liner.Claw 524 couples as one man to open and close by geared system or some other actuating mechanism (not shown), and as claimed in the embodiment described before, once claw has closed to collect refuse, just by conveyer 544, refuse is involved in housing 512.In the present embodiment, claw 524 and conveyer 544 pass through Motor Drive via the track gear being contained in the top of slip cap 534 of device.Claw 524 is by supporting from the bracket 600 of slip cap 534 use cantilever support.Switch 602 on the top of housing 512 discharges telescopic handle 518 to allow housing 512 to be down to ground and to allow to open a pair of trap 532 and advance claw 524.Housing 512 is formed as two parts, and the line 606 of these two parts in Figure 19 is hinged each other.Depressing release-push 604 allows two parts of housing to open to allow to remove collected material around articulated elements.

In other modification of gathering-device, can use single movable claw.For example, this movable claw can be relative with static claw.

Claims

1. for the device from surface collection material, described device comprises: housing, and described housing is for holding collected material; Claw layout, described claw is arranged and can be opened be provided for holding the oral area of described material and can close to collect described material; And conveying mechanism, described conveying mechanism for being advanced to liner in described oral area together with being collected in the material of described liner, described liner is arranged on described claw cloth and is set up that described claw is arranged and collected described separating substances, described material can be collected in described housing and be kept in described liner thus, and does not contact with the surface of described device.

2. device according to claim 1, wherein, described conveying mechanism is operable in the time that described click-on mechanism is closed.

3. according to claim 1 or device claimed in claim 2, wherein, described click-on mechanism can be independent of described conveying mechanism operation, and described click-on mechanism can be opened and closed in the situation that not advancing described liner.

4. according to the device described in any one in claims 1 to 3, wherein, described conveying mechanism is suitable for advancing a preset distance in the time that described conveying mechanism operates at every turn.

5. according to device in any one of the preceding claims wherein, wherein, described conveying mechanism comprises at least one band or chain.

6. device according to claim 5, wherein, described band or the described chain member on the claw of energy activity that is arranged on described claw layout is advanced, and described band or described chain are moved in the time that described claw opens and closes together with described claw.

7. device according to claim 6, wherein, described band or the carrying of described chain are at least one impeller of collection of material.

8. device according to claim 7, comprises at least one pair of band or chain separated from one another and that connect by described impeller.

9. according to device in any one of the preceding claims wherein, comprise at least two bands or the chain that carry separately multiple impeller, described multiple impeller are positioned in when described claw is closed and contact with each other with collection of material.

10. according to device in any one of the preceding claims wherein, wherein, described claw can be retracted in described housing.

11. devices according to claim 10, wherein, described claw is carried on the slide assemblies in described housing.

12. devices according to claim 11, wherein, described slide assemblies comprises slip cap, described liner is advanced in described slip cap by described conveying mechanism.

13. according to the device described in claim 11 or claim 12, further comprises the mechanism for described slide assemblies is moved in reciprocating mode.

14. according to claim 11 to the device described in any one in 13, wherein, and described slide assemblies

Movement impel described conveying mechanism to advance.

15. devices according to claim 14, further comprise rack and pinion mechanism, and described rack and pinion mechanism is arranged as and in the time that described slide assemblies moves, drives described conveyer.

16. devices according to claim 15, further comprise ratchet mechanism, and described ratchet mechanism is arranged as guarantees that described conveyer only moves along a direction, thereby described liner is advanced in described housing.

17. according to device in any one of the preceding claims wherein, comprise handle elongated and that can vertically move, described handle is held by described housing, and described handle couples by least one bar and described slide assemblies, makes mobile described handle cause mobile described slide assemblies.

18. devices according to claim 17, wherein, described bar provider to reversion, make to move described handle along a direction and cause along contrary direction and move described slide assemblies.

19. according to the device described in claim 17 or claim 18, and wherein, described bar provides mechanical dominance, makes the scope of advancing of described handle longer than the scope of advancing of described slide assemblies.

20. according to claim 17 to the device described in any one in 19, wherein

Described handle capable of being is retracted in described housing, and the action of the described handle of retracting impels described conveying mechanism to advance and impel described claw layout to be retracted in described housing; And

The action of the described handle of follow-up extension impels described click-on mechanism from described housing, to release and open for subsequent use.

21. according to device in any one of the preceding claims wherein, and wherein, described claw is arranged and comprised a pair of relative claw that can be mobile pivotally.

22. devices according to claim 21, further comprise for the common mechanism of mobile two described claws simultaneously of the direction of rotation along contrary.

23. devices according to claim 22, wherein, described mechanism comprises and couples bar, described in couple bar and can be moved by user, and described in couple bar the claw actuator lever that each claw is worked moved.

24. devices according to claim 23, wherein, described in couple bar can be by user by coupling the bar that bar couples and move with described.

25. according to the device described in claim 23 or claim 24, wherein, described in couple bar through the handle that can extend of described device.

26. according to device in any one of the preceding claims wherein, and wherein, described housing is formed as making described housing can open to remove two parts of collected material.

27. devices according to claim 26, wherein, two parts of described housing all carry corresponding conveyer, and described two parts all have blocking mechanism, and described blocking mechanism automatically engages to prevent that described conveyer from moving in the time that described housing is opened in the time that described housing is opened.

28. devices according to claim 27, further comprise for being lining with in described and form sealing to keep the water-tight equipment of collected material.

29. devices according to claim 28, wherein, described water-tight equipment operates by liner described in thermal weld.

30. with the liner using together with the device described in any one in aforementioned claim.

31. with the liner using together with the gathering-device described in any one in claim 1 to 29, described liner comprises the elongated tubular of being made up of flexible material, described elongated tubular is crushed, is folded into accordion or otherwise compress and forms the framework with opening, thereby allows a part that described framework is arranged on described gathering-device around for installing.

32. liners according to claim 31, wherein, described liner can pump from described framework and around the described claw of described gathering-device.

33. according to the liner described in claim 31 or claim 32, and described liner has the isolated weather strip of length along described liner, and described weather strip can be lining with and form sealing in the time pressing described weather strip itself in described.

34. liners according to claim 33, wherein, described weather strip is in self-adhesive and slide fastener.

35. according to the liner described in any one in claim 31 to 34, further comprises the support frame of the relative stiffness of the compacted described liner of carrying.

36. 1 kinds of methods from surface collection material, comprise and use such device, described device comprises the housing for holding collected material and comprises claw layout, described method comprises: liner is arranged on around the described claw of described device, and described liner is inserted in the oral area being formed by described claw, described claw is covered by described liner and prevent that described claw from contacting collected described material; The described oral area of described device is arranged on to described material top to be collected; Close described claw to collect described material; And then described liner is advanced in described housing, thereby will be contained in collected described substance in described liner in described housing.

37. 1 kinds roughly as herein with reference to gathering-device as described in accompanying drawing and as shown in drawings.

38. 1 kinds of liners for gathering-device, described liner is roughly as herein with reference to as described in accompanying drawing and as shown in drawings.